August 22nd, 2279

Zack opened the slightly crooked bathroom door. The bathroom was about twice the size as his room. The floor was composed of cracking white tiles. To his right sat a lime green ceramic sink and toilet. Across the room against the wall sat a same style bathtub. It was filled with water and along its surface were small patches of bubbles. The water did seem to have a light reddish tint though, most likely due to the mountains. Next to the tub sat a small square brown table with different plastic bottles of liquids on it. He figured they were soaps of some kind. Against the wall was a rack which had two towels on it.

Zack closed the door and latched it. If anyone needed to use the facilities, they would have to go down to the first floor. He stripped and placed his clothes atop the toilet's lid. He placed his holster belt on the table with his revolver in reach of the bathtub. Zack looked into the mirror above the sink at himself. He wasn't a bad looking man, just a little rough around the edges. His nose was a bit larger than he would have liked and a few of his teeth were crooked. He moved his hands across his cheeks, feeling the stubble that had grown there. He then looked to his fingers. He still had all his digits, he was grateful for that. He then looked over his body. Like most people the wastes, he was riddled with scars and several burns. He ran his fingers over the ones on his upper body. Each one told a different story from what had occurred.

The scar a few inches below his left armpit had been a painful one. A band of raiders had managed to sneak into Polvo and taken refuge in one of the resident's homes, killing all inside first. A passerby had heard screams and called for help. The raiders began to fire on the town from the cover of the home. Zack managed to creep his way to the backside of the building. He had done so in haste and was only able to grab his combat knife and assault rifle with the one magazine in it.

Zack went in through a broken window undetected. As the rest of the militia fired onto the house from the front, Zack navigated inside quietly. He came to the kitchen where a man was shooting a shotgun out the broken window. He dispatched the man quickly by a three round burst from his gun. Zack was going to head to the living room next. As he was about to leave the kitchen's doorway, rounds splattered into the wall to his right and splintered parts of the wooden frame causing them to fly towards his face. Zack quickly fell backwards into the kitchen. Another raider must have heard his gunfire. He crouched low and aimed his rifle around the corner of the doorframe and fired two bursts down the hall. There was return fire, but it seemed like it was shot blindly. As the firing stopped, he heard a curse and the sound of metal grazing against metal.

Zack figured they were reloading and ran down the hallway towards the living room. Just as he entered, a female raider was just about to get a magazine into her 10mm submachine gun. He gunned her down before she could finish. Zack then made his way to the stairs to the upper level. He figured he had a couple bursts left on his rifle. He thought about taking the raider's weapon, but didn't want to chance that it might not work properly. He kept his back to the wall and moved slowly down. He glanced into a room. It was a bedroom and inside was two bodies, the residents. One was face down on the floor with a knife jutting from his back, the other in the bed, covered with a bloodstained blanket. He made his way further down to another doorway. He crouched low and peered inside. He saw two male raiders taking shots out of different windows. One was using a hunting rifle and the other a Chinese assault rifle.

Zack pulled his rifle out in front of him and moved into the doorway. He aimed at the closest raider first and fired. The raider went down screaming. The other one looked over to his fallen comrade as Zack moved his gun to him and fired. His gun clicked, it was empty. He starting sprinting towards the raider as the man realized there was someone in the room and began turning his body towards Zack. Zack grabbed the end of the barrel of his rifle and swung the butt of it at the raider's face. Automatic gunfire filled the air. Zack was able to hit the man's head, knocking him out. Zack didn't come out unscathed though. He took a 5.56mm round to his left side. It broke two of his ribs and caused him to blackout from the pain. Luckily it didn't pierce his lung or he might have lost it. He woke up later on a gurney with Dr. Sylvia standing over him.

Zack felt the long scar that began at the top of his chest running down at an angle in-between his pectorals and ending at the bottom of his sternum. It was caused by a merchant that had done business in Polvo but decided that he wanted to take back a deal. Zack had told him the trading was over and to leave immediately. The man had some kind of spring assembly in his jacket sleeve, a small blade came rushing into the merchant's hand and he thrust it downwards at Zack. Zack was able to push the man's hand away some while it came at him. The attack had been aimed at his heart, but instead only gashed him. The merchant was tackled by other members of his squad and spent five months in chains.. Zack looked down to the small circular one where his right pelvic bone was. He had taken a hit by a laser pistol. He wasn't too angry about this one though. It was caused by friendly fire of a new recruit for the militia. She was on guard duty, Zack had come up on her without making it known and she shot first before asking questions. She was very apologetic afterwards, but Zack waved her off, it was just as much as his fault. She helped him to Dr. Sylvia.

There were many more scars from glass, metal instruments, and fire along the surfaces of his body. One other noteworthy one was on his right shin. It went around the sides of his calf. A Rad Scorpion had managed to latch on to his leg and was about to strike at him with its poisonous stinger. The pain was intense. He was happy though that the thing didn't break his leg in half. Zack had thought that his time on this world was over. Off to the side however, his friend Alex had come down the creature's head with a super sledge, killing it in the process. The monster's claw released from Zack's leg when it died. It was back to the med clinic for him. Dr. Sylvia had told him she was getting a little tired of patching Zack up and he needed to be more careful. Yeah, Zack had thought, try to avoid violence in the wastes.

Zack made his way to the bathtub and got in. The water was just the right warmness to feel comfortable. He had brought his razor and toothbrush inn the tub with him. He shaved his face and trimmed the top of his head some. He then used some of the water upon his toothbrush to clean his teeth. He spent a good hour just sitting in there relaxing and cleaning his dirtied body.

After he was finished, he got out of the tub and dried himself with a towel. It felt great to be clean even though the bath was quite expensive. He sat down by the tub and used the other towel to try and clean the outside of his clothes as best as he could by dipping the towel in the water. He redressed and made his way back to his room.

Zack sat down on the bed and pulled his shoes out from under it. He put his socks and shoes back on his feet. He went into his duster and took out his silver coin. Zack stood up and made his way to his pack to get some caps. He wanted to go back to the saloon and play some poker. All he was wearing was his black boots, charcoal gray pants, and tucked in navy blue shirt. He left his hotel room and locked it behind him. He made his way downstairs and out of the hotel. The man at the counter took no notice of him as he left, still engrossed in the Sherlock Holmes book in his hands.

As Zack exited the hotel, he took notice of the temperature in Cherry Cliff. It had cooled down quite considerably. This sometimes happens in the Arizona wastes. The days can be blistering hot and at night you might need the warmth of a campfire. It was almost like the surface of some alien world. As Zack made his way over to the bridge which led back to the saloon he saw the residential houses that Kade had mentioned earlier. He saw quite a few ghouls hanging around the entrances to them. They most likely get room and board deducted from their wages from working in the mine.

Zack swung open the doors to the saloon with his head turned towards the poker tables. There was only one table with action that had five people currently playing at it. They were playing five card draw. Not Zack's best or favorite game, but it has been some time since he had played, and he was in need of some practice. Zack also saw two people by the pool table and one person feeding caps into a slot machine. He heard music playing in the background. Zack made his way over to the bar. The bartender was a balding man of maybe in his early forties. He wore short sleeved, blue striped, white button up shirt, with black pants, and a forest green apron. At the moment he was tending to someone else sitting at end of the bar. Zack did not sit down at the bar, just leaned against it until the man was able to assist him. Unintentionally, Zack looked up to the Deathclaw skull hanging near the ceiling. He quickly looked down to the bottles behind the bar and kept his eyes fixed on what looked like a bottle of whiskey.

"Evening, what can I get you?" The man had finally came over to Zack.

"I'll take two beers."

"Twenty caps."

Zack took out and placed the caps on the counter. The bartender reached under the counter and came out with a bottle in each hand. He set them upon the bar. He then took a bottle opener from his apron pocket, opened them, and scooted them towards Zack.

"Thanks." Zack told the bartender.

The bartender took the caps and walked off to a register. Zack picked up the bottles and took a swig of the one in his right hand. He wasn't much of a drinker but it helped him relax while he played cards. He turned and started walking towards the poker table in use. He hoped that they would allow him to join. Sometimes players liked how the game was currently playing and did not want to mess up the flow. As he made his way, a familiar song came on the jukebox. It was one his father had liked.

As he was about halfway to the table he heard cheering, hooting, and whistling coming from the other side of the saloon. He turned his head towards the sounds and felt his jaw drop. In the corner of the saloon which he did not see when he entered, by the jukebox, up on a wooden table, was Kade. She was dancing seductively, moving her body with perfect rhythm to the beat. She held a bottle in one of her hands. Around her the tables were full of men with their eyes fixed upon her, with drinks in their hands, and grins across their faces.

"Wow, I didn't take her for that kind of girl."

Zack turned away from the poker table and went back to the bar placing his bottles upon it. He sat on the stool with his body towards Kade. He picked up one of the beers and drank its contents fully. He placed the now empty bottle on the counter hard.

As the chorus came up, Kade pulled the zipper to her jumpsuit down to the top of the belt she wore. All that was covering her upper body was the small white tank top she wore underneath the jumpsuit. This got the crowd watching to voice their approval. She took a drink from the bottle in her hand, some of its contents spilled down her chin.

Zack picked up and started in on the second beer in disappointment from what Kade was doing. The bartender came over and stood by Zack.

"Enjoying the show I take it? Can I get you another beer?" The man asked happily.

Zack shook his head but kept his eyes on Kade's face. Her green eyes seemed distant somehow. "All this from some wine, huh?"

Kade took her arms out from the sleeves of the jumpsuit passing the bottle between hands as she did so. She pulled the top portion of her jumpsuit down behind her to her waist. The belt she wore over the jumpsuit prevented it from going any lower though. She then did a full circle turn, moving her hips while she went, with her arms reaching outwards above her head. When she finished the turn e she brought her arms back down in front of her stomach. The right strap of her tank top sagged from her shoulder to her upper arm.

"Wine? Heck no. I saw that bottle of wine she had earlier. She came up here, had a few beers, and then switched to straight vodka. She was going on about some shit named Jacker or something. She said she wanted to forget the time they spent together. I'd just figured it was some boyfriend or something. A little while later, some guy suggested that she dance for everyone. She's been up there for about the last four songs. That young lady is wasted out of her mind."

Zack quickly looked to the bartender's face and saw truthfulness there. All this time he had been watching, he figured Kade had just loosened up from the wine and wanted to get up there on the table.

"She's obviously not in control of herself. Why would you allow this to continue?" Zack asked angrily.

"Well fuck, I'm not about to say no to some free entertainment. It helps greatly with the sales."

At this time Kade was trying to pull her jumpsuit further downwards with her free hand, the belt hindered this though. She tried to loosen it, but was having difficulty.

Zack wasn't sure if she wore anything underneath on her lower body. He didn't want the room full of aroused men to find out either. Zack swore loudly, quickly got off his stool, it toppled over in the process. As he made his way over to the corner of the saloon a man in leather armor got up from one of the tables and stood in front of Kade.

"Hey sweetie, let me help you with that." The man reached down to her belt and was attempting to take it off.

Zack rushed over, navigating through tables, chairs, and people to finally arrive by Kade. He pushed the man a little off to the side.

"Back off!" Zack commanded.

"Fuck you!" He spat back.

The man in leather armor then threw a punch and it hit the left side of Zack's face. It wasn't too hard of a hit, only causing a little soreness in his jaw. Surely the man was inebriated some. Zack used both his arms to push the man to the floor. He fell down hard cursing and knocking over a couple chairs in the process. There were shouts of protest coming from the crowd. They obviously had wanted to see the rest of the show.

Kade dropped the bottle that she was holding in her hands. It bounced off the edge of the table and fell to the ground. It contents spilled out of its mouth and pooled on the floorboards. Kade cupped her hands over her mouth and was giggling hysterically at the two men fighting in front of her.

The man on the floor started to get up and pulled a wicked looking blade with his right hand. As he stood up fully, Zack had already withdrawn his revolver and had it pointed at the man's face.

"Are you finished yet?" Zack asked.

The man's mouth was open slightly, his jaw was clenched, and his eyes were full of anger. He looked like he was still going to try and attack even with the end of the barrel pointed at his face.

From behind him, Zack heard footsteps and the unmistakable sound of a shotgun being cocked. He turned his head slightly to the left to see behind him and the man ahead. The bartender stood there holding a long barreled shotgun pointed at Zack's back.

"Donny, put that fucking knife away and go sit down. And you, holster that thing, take that girl, and get the fuck outta my place and don't either of you come back!" The bartender said loudly.

The entire saloon seemed to have gone silent, including the jukebox which finished playing the song. All eyes watched the scene ahead of them with looks of terror, excitement, and worry.

Donny seemed to think over his options before finally sheathing his blade. "Take the bitch! And remember, heroes don't live forever." He then turned and walked towards the bar.

Zack exhaled and placed his revolver back in the holster. He held his left hand towards Kade.

"Come on down from there Kade."

Kade, looking confused as if she didn't know who he was, reached out and took Zack's hand nonetheless. Zack used his other arm and wrapped it around her waist and hoisted her down. He picked up her bag which was near the table, and slung it over his shoulder. He held her hand and started to walk towards the entrance. Zack was fearful that a blade or bullet might still enter his back as he walked. Kade staggered as she walked next to him. They went down the stairs once they were outside. Zack had to steady her greatly as she went.

Once on the ground, Kade immediately fell to her knees and vomited. Zack crouched down and did his best to hold her hair while she continued. When she finished she turned her head to the side looking at Zack.

"You know, you kinda cute mister." She then passed out.

Zack had to hurry and catch Kade's body before she fell in the mess she just created. He picked her up and carried her in his arms. Her head bounced lightly with each step he took. Zack walked onto the wooden bridge, and made his way towards his hotel room.